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What You Need to Know About Car GPS Units

Categories: GPS Articles | April 11th, 2009 | by Mike Tucker | no comments

If you've been comparing car GPS units, you may have already noticed just how complicated it can be to find one that's right for you, no matter how tech-savvy you might be. Hopefully, after reading this article, you'll be a bit more well informed about what you need to know to find the perfect unit for you and your budget.

If you haven't already been shopping around, you may not know that all car GPS units essentially do the same thing: they show you where you are and tell you how to get to where you're going. They also all come with a variety of pre-programmed destinations, called POIs (or, Points of Interest) to make getting where you need to be even easier. All you need is a finger, because all car GPS units utilize touch screen technology.

What makes finding the perfect one for you so complicated is all the extra features manufacturers are including in their products to meet market competition. Before you get too overwhelmed, let's talk about these manufacturers and compare the products they're making.

Although several companies produce car GPS units, I'd suggest sticking with the top three: Magellan, Garmin, and Tom Tom. Sure, there are other companies, like Lowrance, Mio, and Pharos. But all these other companies are competing for only 10% of the U.S. market. It may be a personal thing, but I've always liked to go with industry winners. Certainly other companies are making quality products, but I like to know that my purchase will be supported year to year.

Magellan was one of the original companies to start manufacturing GPS devices. With a great company name and a wide selection of products, Magellan is a good choice. I really like their Maestro series, which ranges in price from $150 to $350. You can get a Maestro 3100 for less than $150. That's not their best buy, though. If you just want an entry level GPS, then Garmin's nuvi 200 is probably a better bet. Magellan's best buy is their Maestro 4250, which can do everything Garmin's competing product can, but for $50 less.

Magellan also has a great deal for AAA members that makes the AAA Tour Book available right inside the device. Of course, you must be a member, but if you're a frequent traveler, it's an excellent deal.

With almost 50% of the total market, Garmin is the industry leader. A basic Garmin, the nuvi 200, costs only $150. However, if you're looking to spend a lot more, you can purchase the 880 model, which includes a lot of extra features, for around $1,000. There are no real competitors at the high end of the market place, that is for automotive GPS systems.

Catching up to Garmin is Tom Tom, a company that offers a great selection of products at very competitive prices. For example, what you'd pay for Garmin's basic nuvi 200 could also get you Tom Tom's One 3rd Edition, which has a lot of extra cool features. Tom Tom's GO series has more features and is a direct competitor with Garmin. Tom Tom is currently taking market share from Garmin by offering more features at a smaller price. Tom Tom is no slouch as a company, either. They totally dominate the European market!

Whether you want to spend a lot or a little, comparing car GPS units can be tricky. Continue checking out informative websites so you can find the system that's right for you and won't break your budget.

To read more great GPS Reviews, check out my website. Rick Cole is a true GPS enthusiast! Take a look at his website to find out more information!

Article Source: What You Need to Know About Car GPS Units - ArticleSpan.com

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GPS Is The Perfect Automobile Accessory

Categories: GPS Articles | April 10th, 2009 | by Mike Tucker | no comments

Honey, are we lost? Just maybe, with the right GPS system, you will never have to ask for directions again or hear the dreaded question. Your male ego might just stay intact and save your marriage at the same time.

Does this scenario seem familiar to you? Have you entered the twilight zone? It is time to drive to a new destination and all too many times you find out your map is outdated, the roads are torn up by construction, or you find your self seeing some new parts of the country that is no way related to where you are suppose to be going. Again, I ask, does this scenario seem familiar to you when you have had to drive to a new destination? Take heart, new knowledge is here to help us destination challenge individuals. Having the right Garmin GPS Navigation System, getting from point A to point B (and beyond) no longer has to be an exercise in frustration. No more "going where no one has gone before".

What does GPS stands for? Global Positioning System is a worldwide radio-navigation system of 24 satellites and their earth stations on earth. Airplanes, astronauts, hikers are using this great GPS devices. The satellites are used as orientation points for locations on earth. By measuring the distance from three satellites, GPS devices can triangulate a location anywhere on earth. That is pretty cool if you think about it.

Where did GPS come from? GPS is funded by and controlled by the U. S. Department of Defense (DOD). Can you believe that? While there are many thousands of civil users of GPS world-wide, the system was intended for and is operated by the U. S. military. GPS provides specifically coded satellite signals that can be processed in a GPS receiver, enabling the receiver to compute position, velocity and time. Four GPS satellite signals are used to compute positions in three dimensions and the time offset in the receiver clock. This is really a very neat product that provides an exceptional reliable service.

GPS is speedily becoming an integral component of the up-and-coming Global Information Infrastructure, with applications ranging from mapping and surveying to international air traffic management and global change study. The growing demand from military, civil, commercial, and scientific users has generated a U.S. commercial GPS equipment and service industry that leads the world. Augmentations to enhance basic GPS services could further enlarge these civil and commercial markets.

GPS is managed by the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Executive Committee, supported by the PNT Executive Secretariat. The PNT manages GPS and U.S. Government augmentations to GPS, reliable with national policy, to sustain and augment U.S. economic competitiveness and productivity while shielding national security and foreign policy interests.

The essential GPS is defined as the assemblage of satellites, the navigation payloads which generate the GPS signals, ground stations, data links, and associated command and control facilities which are operated and maintained by the Department of Defense; the Standard Positioning Service (SPS) as the civil and commercial service provided by the basic GPS; and augmentations as those systems founded on the GPS that provide real-time accuracy better than the SPS. GPS permits land, sea, and airborne users to determine their three dimensional point, speed, and point in time, 24 hours a day in all weather, everywhere in the world.

Mom and Dads are putting in GPS vehicle tracking systems in their children cars so they can make sure they are staying away from places they shouldn't be visiting. Trucking companies are installing GPS fleet tracking systems to resolve where there trucks are at all times. Naturally some privacy issues can occur with this capability to keep an eye on movement but the payback definitely over shadow the concerns. Hiking out in the wilderness is much easier and now safer with the GPS handheld units.

Where can you find GPS systems? A good place to start is the internet. Not only is the internet a good source to start where but also you can learn more about GPS and how it works. All the major retail stores carry the major brands such as Magellan, Garmin GPS Navigational System, TomTom, DeLorme, and Lowrance. There are handheld GPS units, dash mounted automotive GPS units, fish finders GPS, and even GPS for PDA's and cell phones.

The United States Government has acknowledged that GPS plays a key role around the world as part of the global information infrastructure and takes sincerely their accountability to provide the best possible service to civil and commercial users worldwide. This is as true in times of conflict as it is in times of peace.

The U.S. Government also upholds the capability to prevent hostile use of GPS and its augmentations while preserving a military advantage in a theater of operations without disrupting or degrading civilian uses outside the theater of operations. The believe they can ensure that GPS continues to be available as an invaluable global utility at all times, while at the same time, protecting U.S. and coalition security requirements. Who said the U.S. Government didn't care?

Jerry Johnson owns the Garmin GPS Navigation System Store.com as well as several other successful webstores. He has a passion for sharing information that can make life easier for all of us. Visit http://www.garmingpsnavigationsystem.com for great values on Garmin GPS Navigation System.

Article Source: GPS Is The Perfect Automobile Accessory - ArticleSpan.com

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The Benefits of a GPS Fish Finder

Categories: GPS Articles | March 26th, 2009 | by Mike Tucker | no comments

Ever have that problem finding your favorite rock pile or finding that under water structure your friend showed you last month? If these are things that you can relate to then purchasing one of the GPS fish finders might be a smart choice for you. Imagine not having to putt around in your boat at six in the morning trying to locate your spot. This can be an incredibly frustrating situation and not to mention something that involves wasting a lot of precious time. A great alternative to this dreadful situation is to take the time to look into and research one of the many GPS fish finders on the market. This device enables you to find the perfect spot with ease and accuracy and requires about half of the time it would normally take you.

With all of the major companies such as Garmin, Hummingbird, Eagle and Lowrance making GPS fish finders, finding one for your exact needs and within your budget may be easier than you think. These products are affordable for anyone and they range from a couple hundred dollars to thousands. This makes is something that is perfect for someone who leisurely fishes on the weekends or for someone who makes it their life career. Also, the installation process is surprisingly easy and most of the time, it does not even require you to have any major tools. All you need is a boat, a power source and some simple knowledge of how the unit works. These are all skill sets that you can acquire in no time and also ones that will completely change your life.

It does not take a genius to operate GPS fish finders either, so there is no need to worry if you are not the most technologically savvy individual. All you have to do is find your spot and location and the GPS fish finder does the rest of the work for you. GPS fish finders have the amazing ability to determine your exact coordinates including the latitude and longitude. In addition to this, the GPS fish finder stores all of the information in its internal database so you do not have to worry about being able to recall it yourself. This internal memory allows you to store up to thousands of entries, so if you forget to delete them from your previous trip there is no reason to worry. For once in your life, it will seem like technology is on your side and not the other way around.

For more information on the different GPS fish finder available, please visit our website.

Article Source: The Benefits of a GPS Fish Finder - ArticleSpan.com

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The Best Handheld GPS Unit For Your Next Outdoor Adventure!

Categories: GPS Articles | March 1st, 2009 | by Mike Tucker | no comments

The best hand-held GPS units aren't just for cars anymore. Thanks to the sleek and innovative designs of today's hottest GPS units, more and more people are turning to hand held GPS units for activities that have existed for thousands of years: hunting, camping and fishing!

If you're a hunter, outdoor enthusiast or enjoy fishing, chances are that you've gotten yourself lost on a weekend expedition with your buddies. Maybe you never could figure out how to read that map, or maybe you wandered off farther than you intended - whatever the case, you can kiss the days of complicated manual navigation good-bye, thanks to the introduction of GPS handheld hiking units from major brands like Garmin and Magellan - and even those that can be used on the water! Want to know more about these pioneering products? Here's the lowdown on the best hand held GPS units that will turn your next hunting or outdoor trip into a stress-free expedition.

Which Way To Camp?

GPS units that are made specifically for hunting, camping and fishing work just like the one that you have for your car or phone. Using satellite technology, your GPS unit is able to track down your exact location and display your real-time position on an easy-to-read map - even if you're travels take you to the most isolated forests. Thanks to your trusty GPS unit, you'll never have to spend your valuable time or resources in manually determining your position on a map: just power up your GPS unit and watch as all of the complicated work is done for you! Better yet, use your GPS to mark down the locations of trails, campsites and other landmarks. With the typical battery lasting up to 24 hours, you don't have to worry about losing these important notes - so you can hunt, hike or fish without worry!

Another great advantage to GPS units that are designed for outdoor use is that they're made to take a beating. Accidentally dropped your hand-held hiking unit on the ground? Whereas a normal portable GPS unit might end up in pieces, these rugged products will continue to perform without flaw. Got to make a trek through a patch of bad weather? Not a problem! Lucky for you, waterproof GPS units will be able to withstand even the toughest of Mother Nature's storms.

Some of the best hand-held GPS units out there include the Garmin eTrex, which has an exclusive BackTrack® feature which will help you navigate your way back to your camp or hunting site; The magellan eXplorist, which boasts four navigation screens on a unit that's smaller than the palm of your hand; and finally, marine GPS units (look for ones designed by Magellan, Garmin and Lowrance), which have enough memory to store up to 500 of your favorite aquatic destinations with the ability to chart a straight course to them! What's the best part about these products? The fact that many of them start under $200, so you don't have to blow your budget in order to nab the best handheld GPS unit of your very own - leaving you with more green for your next outdoor adventure!

Paul has a blog dedicated to helping consumers choose the right GPS navigation system for them. You can check out more information and find the "Deals Of The Day" at http://www.TrackItGPS.com.

Article Source: The Best Handheld GPS Unit For Your Next Outdoor Adventure! - ArticleSpan.com

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